5:00pm - Holy Eucharist Rite II - Nave

The Holy Eucharist is the principal act of Christian worship - it is also known as Holy Communion, the Mass, or the Lord's Supper. Eucharist means "thanksgiving" - and in this service, we give thanks to God while we "continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers," as our Baptismal Covenant puts it.

Our Saturday Evening Rite II service is held at 5:00pm in the Nave, and usually lasts for about 45 minutes. Rite II means that this worship service uses newer forms of the prayers and contains more contemporary language. You can see a sample of this worship service by clicking here.

The first part of the service centers on the reading and explication of the Bible. Up to four passages are read or sung - usually two from the Old Testament scriptures (including a Psalm) and two New Testament scriptures (including a reading from the Gospels) - and a sermon or homily preached on one or more of the readings. Prayers, hymns and the saying of a creed are also part of this half of the service.

The Holy Communion consists of the blessing and sharing of bread and wine following the example given in the Gospels and established in the early Church. This ritual is a means of strengthening our union with God and one another as we remember Christ's life, death, and resurrection.